“Any one of these teams we are playing against could be in the Grand Final and you want to make sure you’ve got the ascendancy in the way you perform.”

Powell admitted Tigers’ 10-point lead going into the eights is a “substantial benefit”, but he added: “It’s almost a case of put that to one side and don’t think about it too much. It’s about winning games now and creating some momentum.

“You can’t hide away from the fact finishing top for us would be a significant achievement – it has never been done at the club before – but then there’s the small matter of the play-off game and the Grand Final.

“We are in an unbelievable position to have a home game to get to a Grand Final and we’ve been pretty tough to beat here.

“I think it’s important we maintain that home form and this is the best possible game for us to start off.

“It will be a really tough game and I think we’ll have to be right at our best to win it.”

“We take confidence from the fact we know we can beat everybody if we play well, but ultimately you’ve got to deliver on the day.”

Second-rower Oliver Holmes could make his fifth appearance of the season for Tigers – and first since April – after recovering from a knee problem.

Hooker Adam Milner (ankle) and prop Larne Patrick (illness) are also set to return, but Kevin Larroyer drops out due to suspension. Saints expect to welcome back influential half-back Matty Smith, who has missed three games due to a facial injury, but Luke Douglas (knee) misses out.